Tangyue Memorial Archways

In Chinese feudal society, it is a common way to honor those administrators who performed outstandingly on loyalty, filial piety, chastity and charity by approving them to build memorial archways after their names in their hometowns. 6 kilometers west of Shexian Town, Anhui province, the Tangyue Memorial Archways are some of the most famous such memorial archways. Moreover, these archways represent the architecture style in Ming and Qing Dynasty (1368-1911).

Three out of the seven archways were built in Ming Dynasty, while the other four in Qing Dynasty. The seven archways are all constructed with a special kind of green stone, solid and magnificent. On the archways there are many delicate carvings of flowers, animals and other traditional designs, especially tigers and lions.

The seven Memorial Arches all convey some stories:

Kindness and Filial Piety Memorial Archway (built at about 1403-1424)——commemorating the father Bao Sheyan and his son Bao Shouxun, both of whom were determined to sacrifice themselves for the survive of the other after they were captured by the rebels.

Baocan Filial Piety Memorial Archway (about 1550s) and Bao Fengchang Filial Piety Memorial Arch (1797)——celebrating two dutiful sons who took considerate care of their sick parents.

Minister Bao Xiangxian Memorial Archway (1622)——citing for his feats in the army and his virtue of loyalty and honest.

Wushi Chastity and Filial Piety Memorial Archway (1768) and Jiangshi Chastity and Filial Piety Memorial Archway (1784)——giving praise to the widows who brought up their sons all by themselves after their husbands' death.

Charity and Generosity Archway (1821)——built by an official of that time named Bao Laifang who made distinguished contribution to the court so that the government approve him to build an archway in his hometown to glorify his ancestors.